Berry picker



July H i924. 1,500,016

R. c. TRAYHORN BERRY PICKER Filed April 17, 1932 Patented duly l, 1924 Brennan 0. raavrroau, or isnvenaiuron, new YORK.

' BERRY PIGKER.

Application filed April 17, 1922. Serial No. 553,562.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD C. TRAY- :ronN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Berry Pickers, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in berry pickers and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which can be operated with convenience and facility in picking and collecting berries.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising a container having an inwardly opening closure memher together with means for collecting the berries or the like after being picked so that the same maybe caused readily to be received within the container.

Another object of -the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising a container together with means associated therewith to sever the berries or the like to be picked.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved berry picker whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to de scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of aberry picker constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the device as herein disclosed with certain of the parts in elevation.

Figure 3 is a view in top plan of a second chute especially adapted for use in the gathering of berries in clusters, and

Figure 4c is the rake attachment adapted for use in connection with the chute illustrated in Figure 3.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings C denotes an elongated container of' requisite dimensions and tapered from one end toward the other, the larger end preferably constituting the bottom of the container. The bottom 1 is'remorably engaged with the container and preferably through The opposite or smaller end of he j tainer C also has removably'engaged there with a closuremember 4. This member t is provided with an opening 5 normally closed by h hinged door or fl p 5. This door p 5 Pens inwardly of the con-* tainer by gravity and is held against movement upwardly of the container through the medium of the inwardly directed lugs or steps 6 which contact with the outer face of said door or flap 5.

A denotes a chute of desired dimensions and having one end portion annular as at 7 and to telescopically receive "the-smaller end of the container C, said chute being applied after the closure member 4 has been applied, said chute being held in working position by each of the pins 2' being disposed through a bayonet slot 3' in the annular portion of the chute A.

The forward portion of the bottom 8 of the chute A has secured thereto a toothed blade 9 with which co-acts the blade 10 carried by the outer end portion of the elongated resilient arm 11. The opposite end portion of the arm 11 is anchored or secured as at 12 to the outstanding handle or hand grasp 14 carried by the container C and in order that said arm 11 may have movement in substantially a fixed path of travel said arm is freely disposed through an outstanding guide loop 15 carried by the forward or smaller end portion of the container C. The arm 11 at a point overlying the handle or hand grasp 14: is provided with a button 17 and upon pressure being imposed upon said button the arm'll will be moved in a direction toward the container C, resulting in the requisite co-action between the blades 9 and 10 to eifect the separation of a berry or the like.

It is to be understood that the blades 9 and 10 are disposed on such angles to facilitate the severing of a berry or the like and it is also to be understood that these blades 9 and 10 are adapted to clip the stem of the berry or the like so the berry or fruit will drop upon thebottoin S of the chute A.

After one or'more berries have been received within the chute A, the container *1 is tilted until an upright position whereupon the weight of the flap or door to gether with the weight of the berries or the lilre upon said flap or door 5 will cause the door to swing inwardly and the berries to pass within the container. Then the container is moved in a position to efi ect further picking operations and the-flap or door 5 will return to its closed position.

The blade 1%) removahly connected with the arm 11 so that the same may be replaced when required as by a differently shaped blade or so that there may be substituted a rake like member 18, which device is employed when it is desired to pick elder berries or similar berries growing in clusters.

When thedevice lS is used a second chute A is employed which has a wider flaring mouth than the chute A. When the device 181s employed the berries. or the like upon proper manipulation of the container C a e pulled ff of the bush without the necessity of a cutting action.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that aberry picker constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and tormalion of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention inpractice except as hereinafter claimed.

1. claim:

A. device of the class described comprising a container provided with an entrance openinga chute extending outward y fronr the container and associated with the entrance opening, an outstanding hand grasp carried by the container, an elongated resilient arm having one end portion anchored to the hand graspv the opposite end portion of. saidresilient member overlying the chute, a blade engaged with said second named end portion of the resilient member, and an outstanding guide loop carried by the container through which the resilient member is disposed.

In testimony whereof 1 hereunto affix my signature. s I v RICHARD C. TRAYHORN. 

